Month: July 2018

The Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco in France celebrated the anniversary of the accession of Prince Albert II in 2005 in the Pavillon Vendôme, in the heart of the 1st district of Paris, on Monday, July 9.

More than 400 guests were welcomed by HE Mr Claude Cottalorda and his wife, including Mrs.Ségolène Royal, former Minister and Ambassador in charge of international talks on the Arctic and Antarctic poles, as well as many Ambassadors, high representatives of Ministries and French institutions, Deputies and Senators, and also leaders of large French companies.

Also present at this reception were several representatives of International organisations based in Paris as well as the Honorary Consuls of Monaco in France, Monegasques and friends of Monaco living in Paris and Ile-de-France. The students of the Monaco Foundation at the Cité Internationale Universitaire in Paris were also invited to the evening event.

After recalling the centuries-long ties maintained between the Principality of Monaco and France, the Ambassador presented the initiatives undertaken by the Prince’s Government for the ‘Monaco of the future’ and the development of the digital economy.

HE Mr Claude Cottalorda also spoke of the many initiatives undertaken by Monegasque entities, under the leadership of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, to preserve the planet and more particularly to ensure the protection of its seas and oceans.

Finally, after a toast in honour of the Princely Family, the guests enjoyed a special selection of Mediterranean dishes.

In the presence of HSH Princess Stephanie, Serge Telle, Minister of State, attended a reception hosted by Her Excellency Ms. Marine De Carné-Trécesson, Ambassador of France in Monaco, on Friday, July 13.

Also present at this ceremony marking French National Day, besides the High Personalities of the Principality, HE Antoni Marti Petit, Head of the Government of the Principality of Andorra, and HE Nicola Renzi, from San Marino, were also present.

The French naval ship, the Loire, returning from a mission to the Middle East, made a courtesy call in Monaco. The reception was held alongside the vessel. Celebrations of Bastille Day continued at the Maison de France.

On Saturday, July 14, France celebrates Bastille Day. The national day marking the spontaneous start of the Revolution on July 14, 1789, overturning the monarchy and setting in motion the establishment of the Republic and laying the foundations of the modern French state, is the paramount historical annual event for all French patriots.

But since the islamist atrocity on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice two years ago, in which 85 people lost their lives, Bastille Day also signifies a tragic remembrance of so many innocent lives lost.

In the immediate aftermath of the outrage, in which a recent convert to radical Islam ploughed through the crowds of revellers in a rented truck, the blame game raised serious questions of accountability and responsibility.

Two years later, lessons have been learned. Security has been tightened. Intelligence improved. But an indelible sadness remains.

The tragedy of Nice on Bastille Day, 2016, remains etched in the memory. As France celebrates the preface to its bloody Revolution, few will forget July 14, 2016.

The Minister of State has visited, in preview, the new space of the Oceanographic Museum dedicated to the commitment of the Princes of Monaco to the knowledge and the protection of the marine world.

The tour took place on Wednesday, July 11, in the presence of Mrs Marie -Pierre Gamaglia, Minister of Infrastructure, Environment and Urbanism and representatives of various institutions.

This immersive 700-square-metre space is a major addition to the museum’s visitor experience, combining optical theatre, multimedia devices and other features, all focussed on a 27 metre-long scenic ship.

The experience revisits more than 100 years of history and offers a panorama of the current challenges in the protection of the Ocean, while highlighting the Sovereigns’ passion for the sea.

Albert I, the humanist prince, pioneered modern oceanography; Rainier III took the first measures to protect the Mediterranean, based on the explorations of Commander Cousteau; while HSH Prince Albert II mobilises experts and decision-makers to protect the oceans.

The Oceanographic Museum has 650,000 annual visitors.

The Solar & Energy Boat Challenge dedicated to the latest innovations in propulsion has taken to the water again. Since its launch in 2014 by the Monaco Yacht Club, the solar-powered event continues to develop and this year for the first time is open to all clean energy sources, according to powerboat-world.com.

Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Hydros Foundation and the Monaco-based International Powerboating Federation (UIM), this competition is unique in the world, giving young engineers an opportunity to reinvent boating to meet future energy and environmental standards. Thirty teams are taking part, an increase of 25 percent over last year.

“It is part of the Principality’s commitment to the environment led by our President HSH Prince Albert II. If we want to position Monaco as Capital of Yachting, we need to play a part in these technologies,” MYC General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri told powerboat-world.com.

Bertrand Piccard, the man behind Solar Impulse, the first fuel-less zero-emissions plane with limitless autonomy in which he flew round the world, is sponsoring this fifth edition: “‘Im delighted to see what can be achieved with clean energy sources. These boats can compete in races full of suspense and all without any noise or pollution. It really is something that needs to be encouraged,” he said.

The fifth Solar & Energy Boat Challenge takes place from July 12 to 14, centred on Monaco Yacht Club and Port Hercule.